Trump slaps 36% tariffs on Thai imports in sweeping new trade action

13 Sept 22:31 Key points summarised by AI

President Trump announced new "reciprocal" tariffs, effective August 1, 2025, targeting over a dozen countries, with Thailand facing a steep 36% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
This measure is part of a broader strategy to pressure trading partners into agreeing to more favorable trade terms with the United States.
Tariff rates vary significantly by country, ranging from 25% for Japan and South Korea to 40% for Laos and Myanmar, while Cambodia saw a favorable adjustment to 36% from an initial 49%.
A 90-day pause on these tariffs, originally imposed in April, was extended to August 1, providing affected nations more time to negotiate trade deals.
Trump issued formal letters to the targeted nations, including Thailand's King and acting Prime Minister, outlining the consequences of failing to reach an agreement before the deadline.

Thailand’s FDI reaches Bt271bn as high-tech projects expand

Today 10:54 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's foreign direct investment (FDI) surged by 26% year-on-year to Bt271 billion across 971 projects in the first nine months, with a significant portion (494 projects) driven by high-tech industries.
Growth was spearheaded by sectors like digital technology, AI, electric vehicles, and clean energy, largely concentrated in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with China, the US, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong as the top five investment sources.